Why I Don't Use the Library Part Three: The Finale

Using the library as a youngster, I learned the meaning of Be Sure Your Sins Will Find You Out.

I always read books way ahead of my age level. I was reading Nancy Drew in first grade. I was reading young adult books by third grade. All about boyfriends and girlfriends and first kisses and then some. I became totally addicted to a series of very deep and profound young adult books, I simply had to read them...Sweet Valley High. I read both Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High for awhile, but preferred the high school set until one day on the way home from piano practice, I turned to my sister while reading the back cover copy and asked..."what does seduce mean?"

My mother was horrified. Shortly, I was told I was no longer allowed to read these books. But, friends, I was addicted.

Since I generally had free reign in the library, I learned a trick. If I brought a little tote bag with me, I could hide the Sweet Valley books in it and carry in hand the more acceptable books. (I checked out at least ten at at time) I fed my addiction this way and all was well, until we moved from Iowa to St. Louis. My mother, having a strict moral code, requested a list of our fines so we could pay them off. She then discovered...da dum. That I had been sneaking the Sweet Valley books. I got in trouble, but mostly felt ashamed for not being able to reign in the addiction.

It's not the library's fault, but it's a somewhat negative memory associated with the library...and I guess in the end it all comes down those pesky fines again!

Read Part One
Read Part Two

Why I Don't Use the Library Part 2 The Continuing Saga

It has to do with fines. And report cards. And guilt.

So replacement fees aren't the only thing you might have to pay at the library. As many of you mentioned in comments of my last post...there's also late fines. I am spectacularly good at getting late fines. As I mentioned I would check out ten books at a time (and CDs and such as I got older) with fines at ten cents a day per item? Added up very very quickly.

But while in high school and college, I still needed to do those pesky research papers. And needed source material. So I checked out books. There is no excuse for turning books in late to your own high school library by the way. I mean, I was there everyday. But I still managed to get threats. No report card until you return those books. Yes that seriously was my life. And high school libraries have late fines, too.

I just don't think I am capable of getting things back on time. It's the reason I adore Blockbuster Online.

I have one more story to share next week...til then...what's the highest library fine you ever paid?

(Read the first post in this series.)

Why I Don't Use the Library Pt. 1

Due to popular demand (like two people asked), I am going to begin sharing why I don't use the library. It is a bit unusual for someone who loves books as much as I do.

I want to start by saying I absolutely have a very high and positive regard for the library. I have fantastic memories of the library of my childhood (you really should click on that link, it's a fantastic building)..story hour, getting lost in the stacks, combing over the books looking for one I hadn't read, having the librarians beam at me when I brought up a stack of 10 books to check out. So I guess I should put it this way...

dear library, it's not you, it's me.

Point number one. This week I lost my debit card. Yes, my debit card. The one that connects me to all of my money. I have no idea where it went. I tore my life apart looking for it, then accepted defeat and had it reissued. (once I lost a paycheck and had to have it reissued. I found it a year later tucked in a book on my shelf as a bookmark...oops)

When I had a library card I was extremely talented at losing that as well. Over. And Over. The library was somewhat gracious the first time. Then they wanted to charge me a replacement fee for future cards. How many replacement fees would I have to pay? And friends, not just for library cards. Because if I lose library cards, I can also lose books. And have to pay replacement fees for those as well. That's a little more expensive.

So there you have it, the tip of the iceberg of why I don't use the library. Stay tuned for further revelation....